Method for automated parameter and selection testing based on known characteristics of the sample being tested

Abstract

A method for automated parameter and selection testing based on known characteristics of the sample being tested. The method may utilize a software interface that proposes testing parameters based on the characteristics of the sample. The software interface may first guide the client through a series of questions or prompts, specifying the sample under test and may inquire information such as: the type of material, thickness, type of coating, and roughness level. The user may then decide what type of test to perform and the type of indenter from the list prescribed by executable instructions. In various embodiments, the method may, based on the indenter chosen, include a preliminary test to evaluate the depth versus load measurements or maximum load, so that the parameters may be adjusted for the primary test.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automated parameter and selection testing based on known characteristics of the sample being tested, the steps comprising:
 providing a material testing apparatus configured to perform a plurality of different material tests;   wherein said material testing apparatus comprises a processor that is operatively associated with a data storage and is adapted to execute computer implemented instructions to perform said plurality of different material tests;   receiving a sample on said table of said material testing apparatus;   prompting a user to provide one or more user inputs describing one or more material characteristics of said sample;   receiving said one or more user inputs associated with said one or more characteristics of said sample; and   performing at least one material test to said sample based on said one or more user inputs and said selected indenter.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more characteristics of said sample is selected from the group of sample characteristics consisting of: a material type, a thickness of said sample, and a presence of a coating or film. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more user inputs describes a type of material test; and
 wherein said method further comprises the step of:
 receiving said one or more user inputs associated with said type of material test. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said type of material test is selected from the group of material tests consisting of: a hardness elastic modulus test, an adhesion strength test, a creep test, and a dynamic mechanical analysis test. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 proposing one or more acceptable indenters prescribed by said computer implemented instructions based on said one or more user inputs;   prompting said user to select an indenter from said one or more proposed acceptable indenters; and   allowing said user to couple said selected indenter to said material testing apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of proposing one or more acceptable indenters further comprises the step of:
 listing one or more indenters that said user currently possesses.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said material testing equipment further comprises one or more additional sensors configured to determine one or more mechanical failures on said sample; and
 wherein said method further comprises the step of:   determining said one or more mechanical failures on said sample with said one or more additional sensors when performing said at least one material test.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least an acoustic emission sensor configured to detect an acoustic emission when performing said at least one material test. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least a friction measurement sensor configured to measure a friction coefficient when performing said at least one material test. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least a displacement sensor configured to measure a penetration depth when performing said at least one material test. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least an electrical resistance sensor configured to measure materials resistance when performing said at least one material test. 
     
     
         12 . A method for automated parameter and selection testing based on known characteristics of the sample being tested, the steps comprising:
 providing a material testing apparatus configured to perform a plurality of different material tests;   wherein said material testing apparatus comprises a processor that is operatively associated with a data storage and is adapted to execute computer implemented instructions to perform said plurality of different material tests;   receiving a sample on said table of said material testing apparatus;   prompting a user to provide one or more user inputs describing one or more material characteristics of said sample;   receiving said one or more user inputs;   performing a preliminary test to determine whether one or more testing parameters should be adjusted by contacting a surface of said sample with said selected indenter;   contacting said surface of said sample and receiving one or more feedback signals representing measured values from said sample in response to said preliminary test;   adjusting said one or more testing parameters based on said one or more feedback signals to create said one or more adjusted testing parameters; and   performing at least one primary material test to said sample based on said one or more user inputs, said selected indenter, and said one or more adjusted testing parameters.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more characteristics of said sample is selected from the group of sample characteristics consisting of: a material type, a thickness of said sample, and a presence of a coating or film. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said one or more user inputs describes a type of material test; and
 wherein said method further comprises the step of:
 receiving said one or more user inputs associated with said type of material test. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said type of material test is selected from the group of material tests consisting of: a hardness elastic modulus test, an adhesion strength test, a creep test, and a dynamic mechanical analysis test. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 proposing one or more acceptable indenters prescribed by said computer implemented instructions based on said one or more user inputs;   prompting said user to select an indenter from said one or more proposed acceptable indenters; and   allowing said user to couple said selected indenter to said material testing apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of proposing one or more acceptable indenters further comprises the step of:
 listing one or more indenters that said user currently possesses.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said material testing equipment further comprises one or more additional sensors configured to determine one or more mechanical failures on said sample when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least an acoustic emission sensor configured to detect an acoustic emission when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least a friction measurement sensor configured to measure a friction coefficient when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least an automatic visual inspection sensor configured to determine said one or more mechanical failures on a physical surface when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least a displacement sensor configured to measure a penetration depth when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said one or more additional sensors is at least an electrical resistance sensor configured to measure materials resistance when performing said preliminary test. 
     
     
         24 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising one or more executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a material testing apparatus, configure said processor to perform a method for automated parameter and selection testing based on known characteristics of the sample being tested, comprising:
 prompting a user to provide one or more user inputs describing one or more material characteristics of said sample;   receiving said one or more inputs associated with said one or more characteristics of said sample;   instructing said material testing apparatus to perform a preliminary test to determine whether one or more testing parameters should be adjusted by contacting a surface of said sample with said indenter;   instructing said material testing apparatus to contact said surface of said sample and receiving one or more feedback signals representing measured values from said sample in response to said preliminary test;   adjusting one or more testing parameters based on said one or more feedback signals to create said one or more adjusted testing parameters; and   instructing said material testing apparatus to perform at least one material test to said sample based on said one or more user inputs, said selected indenter, and said one or more adjusted testing parameters.   
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 24 , wherein said one or more characteristics of said sample is selected from the group of sample characteristics consisting of: a material type, a thickness of said sample, and a presence of a coating or film. 
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 24 , wherein said one or more user inputs describes a type of material test; and
 wherein said processor is configured to perform the additional step of:
 receiving said one or more user inputs associated with said type of material test. 
   
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further configured to perform the additional steps of:
 proposing one or more acceptable indenters prescribed by said computer implemented instructions based on said one or more user inputs;   prompting said user to select an indenter from said one or more proposed acceptable indenters; and   allowing said user to couple said selected indenter to said material testing apparatus.   
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to  claim 27 , wherein said step of proposing one or more acceptable indenters further comprises the step of:
 listing one or more indenters that said user currently possesses.